APS Considers Developing Mobile App; Nothing Official Available Yet

At least one for-profit company has been emailing employees offering to sell a mobile app that contains information obtained for free from the district's website.

April 4, 2013

APS is working on developing a mobile app that will make it more convenient to obtain information about the district, however no official app is currently available.

At least one for-profit company, KosInteractive, has emailed APS employees and parents offering to sell an app that provides basic information about the district including maps, calendars and lunch menus. The company apparently obtained employee email addresses and other information from the APS website. All of the information offered through the app is available for free at APS.edu.

The company is charging 99-cents for the app. None of the money goes to benefit APS students or programs.

APS has been looking into developing a mobile app that will provide information to employees, families and students. Limited operational dollars have made the development of such an app challenging, however the district is looking into business partnerships that will help cover the costs and benefit the APS community.

"Our communications, web and technology departments have been working with our Foundation on coming up with ways to make obtaining information about APS more convenient for our community," said APS Communications Executive Director Monica Armenta. "We want to make sure we keep costs down while offering the best service we can. We want to offer a quality app that will be easy to use and will provide the latest, most up-to-date information."

In the meantime, information about the district – including maps, calendars and lunch menus – can be obtained by going to APS.edu.